Thrilled to be back

BTV: AGM | Sean Wellman interviewWe caught up with newly elected board member Sean Wellman at the 2017 AGM.

New Essendon Football Club board member Sean Wellman says it is “great to be back” at the club in a new role.

Speaking at the Annual General Meeting on Monday night, Wellman said he was looking forward to playing his part at the Bombers once again.

“It’s great to be able to catch up and reconnect with some people you haven’t seen in a while,” Wellman said.

After starting with Adelaide in 1994, Wellman became a premiership player for Essendon in 2000 and played 212 games in an outstanding career.

Wellman was an assistant coach at Essendon after retiring in 2004 before running a successful finance and hospitality business.

The former Bomber has a strong connection to the current playing group having been selected to coach the club’s suspended players in 2016, and he said he will do what he can for them to reach the ultimate success.

“I’ve been following the players for a long period of time, so I just want them to have every success and if I can play a small part in that I’ll do my utmost to help them,” he said.

Ruckman Tom Bellchambers – who received a life membership on the night – was full of praise for Wellman after supporting the players through the saga.

“That was a really tough time for a lot of us, so congratulations Welly,” Bellchambers said.

Essendon Chairman Lindsay Tanner said Wellman will bring “significant football and financial experience” to the board.

“Sean achieved the ultimate success as a player and was an assistant coach with the club, and he will provide valuable contemporary football knowledge to the board,” Tanner said after the election results.

While Wellman admitted he was unsure about what his focal points will be in the role, he said he aims to help take pressure away from each department at the club.

“I’ll listen, I’ll learn and I’ll help where I can and where a lot of people see that I can add some value to the footy club.”